I think very deeply

I make so much stuff...you have know idea. If I live to be 500 I won't have enough time to bust out all of my ideas. It's frustrating. In the meantime, I'll keep knocking out the simple ones.
Like this bench.

Made from salvaged redwood, and some standard 16"x16" CMU pilaster blocks.
Pretty comfy, plus plants. And what could be greener than a plant? Dave maybe.

I've eaten a lot of Santa Cruz burritos here.

Skylight

Here's a recent project.
Starting with the before photos of a tradition T-Bar fluorescent light set up.
...and the opening without the lenses...
But what can I do? Well, here's a little mock-up.

And the real thing, in progress. Complicated angles.
Cutting the lenses from The Fluorescent Gallery...
A lens test fit.

Then finish

Then install

The center is a skylight, and the surrounding lenses house the fluorescent lights.

Ch-Check-Check it out!

Vince's ol' Airstream get's us a lot of press!
Here's a link to the latest in the LA Times:

The Treehouse in Progress

In my "spare" time, I'm usually building something. This past winter my Father-in-law told me he wanted to build a treehouse "for the little guys", referring to my 3 nephews, David, Richard, and Luke.
By now, we all know this is part of his M.O. When he say's it's for "the little guys", such as, "the little guys want ice cream", or "the little guys want a cup coffee", I have a feeling he's acting on their behalf, and not necessarily with their knowledge.
He can never get high enough on his property to see far enough across the valley, and it really is a good view. And besides that, who wouldn't want a treehouse?

Anyhow, we got started in cooler weather, and I insisted that if I were going to build this thing that I had help. Steve jumped in, and so did Rich.

The tree house is located on the highest point on his property, which sits on the western edge of the Conejo Valley.

Day 3, (but 3 months into the project) I began the railing. I think this will be one of the cooler details when it's done. The railing is tilted out about 10 degrees to make the tree house feel a little bigger.

Architectural Foundation and Guitars

Last Friday evening we had the honor of attending (and sponsoring) this years presentation of the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara's Architectural Scholarships. The awards were given to several young deserving students to help further their architectural education. I hope they design some cool stuff.

(the Invitation to the Scholarship Awards)





Besides that, we're just constantly building stuff. Check out this cool guitar and amp shelving.

The "ON AIR" light is from an old radio station. It's these extra little things that make ABLE & BAKER so awesome.

...and the concealed amp lighting.

Here's the proud owner, belting out a pretty sweet version of "Solitary Man".

Custom Home Office Cabinets

I still build cabinets...

And before the knobs...

Bath Remodel in a Mid-Century Home

I really wish I had "before" photos of this place. It used to be a nice 80's remodel with carpet and country blue wallpaper. A lot of brass.
The first time I entered I swear I heard the ghost of Dolly Parton singing "9 to 5"

...but it turned out like this

Whirlpool bath. Custom birch cabinet in the corner, stained to match the bath door (not pictured) and custom concrete countertop made to match slate floor.

Handmade Heath Tile in tub surround.

Here's the house. What do you think... "9 to 5" or "Charade"?

I call this photo "Nick With Hat On Ladder #2".
Check out the cool way we put in the skylight, and incorporated lighting & fan.
Yep, awesome.

I gave the client a tile shaped grid and some colored pencils. It worked.
Einstein would've been proud of the consistently inconsistent pattern.

Before and After...

View more in-progress photos here.